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Tata To Introduce Micro-Hybrid Nano
The stop-start system was first introduced in India by Mahindra in the Scorpio. Mahindra christened the word Micro-Hybrid even though there is no hybrid technology involved. Tata Motors is using the same term for its Nano.
The stop-start system can improve the fuel economy of the vehicle by switching of the engine when the car is not moving. It remains to be seen if the Tata Nano owner is comfortable having the system in his car, considering the fact that it is basically a city car. One gets struck in the slow moving city traffic and will not really consider the small fuel savings as an advantage if the engine keeps switching off.
Another disadvantage of the stop-start system is that it cuts power to the AC whenever it switches the engine off. The driver will have to bear with the sweltering heat of the summer and the chilly cold of the winter in the hybrid Nano. Fortunately, the stop-start system can be switched off. Considering the Indian traffic and climate, it is highly unlikely the system will be used heavily.
Also add the price of the stop start system which we estimate to be between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 3,000. A hybrid Nano has to be driven several thousand kilometres to recover the cost of the system considering the small fuel saving. Tata Motors could improve the Hybrid Nano's fuel economy by offering low resistant tyres that provide continuous fuel saving rather than the stop-start system which works intermittently.
Although a micro-hybrid-Nano can be considered as a positive development, the small fuel savings and the costs involved do not make it a viable option. Tata Motors can rather install the system in a model that is used for longer commutes rather than short city commutes.
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